4th Quarter - Week 28 - Power Point - Layout - CPU, Hardware/Software

Hardware/Software

You need both--can't use a computer unless you have both.

The HARDWARE is the equipment including: 1. the COMPUTER--often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or PC (Personal Computer) 2. the MONITOR (some people refer to it as the 'screen') 3. the KEYBOARD

These 3 basic components are called a SYSTEM

Other commonly used hardware devices are the MOUSE, SPEAKERS, HEADSETS, PRINTERS, SCANNERS, etc. These are known as PERIPHERALS (referring to the fact that they may surround the computer system but are not necessary, although the mouse is now needed by anyone (really almost everyone) who doesn't know the keyboard shortcuts for using Windows without a mouse.

The SOFTWARE is the PROGRAMS--including Windows. Every time you click an icon from the desktop or through the start menu you are using a software program or part of a program. The most commonly used programs include word processors, games, and Internet web browsers.

Software and Hardware go hand in hand. You can't use one without the other. And your hardaware must be able to handle the software you use. For example you can't go online (Internet browsers require Windows) if you have an old DOS based computer. This software/hardware dependency is what drives the computer industry--newer software often requires more powerful hardware, so people keep buying new computers to replace perfectly functioning, yet limited, older computers.

---------------------------------------------

CPU

The main chip--short for 'Central Processing Unit'. Called the 'processor'. By technical purists it (and only it) is called the 'COMPUTER'

The COMPUTER is NOT technically “the electronic box”. But because we commonly call the 'box' the 'computer' that is how the lesson was presented. Now that we've settled that we'll get deeper into exactly what is in the 'box'.

CPUs are made of silicon and consist of thousands of tiny circuits which are often layered one atop many others. The ability to add more layers and to manufacture smaller circuits results in today’s more powerful CPUs that are not much larger than the old “8088” main chips and not much more expensive considering their advanced capabilities.

CPUs (main chips) are attached to a MOTHER BOARD which also contains various other chips, transistors, circuits, fuses, and slots for things like video, sound, and modem/network cards.

Also inside the 'electronic box' are the insides of the CD-ROM drive (most commonly labeled the 'D drive') , floppy disk drive (or 'A drive'), and the hard drive ('C drive') along with various cables, connectors, and other doomajiggees.

It's not as complicated as it may sound. In my humble opinion, your auto mechanic has had to learn a heck of a lot more to fix your car than a computer technician has had to learn to fix your computer. I say this because technicians seldom 'fix' anything--they troubleshoot the problem, then do things like reconnect loose wires/connections, REPLACE a faulty part (because replacing the part is usually cheaper in this labor intensive/expensive process than fixing it and because a better part is available now cheaper than what you paid for the older/lesser part), or fiddle with the software (the hardest part to figure out). And believe it or not there are far FEWER parts to a computer system (except when the parts are being produced at the factory) than there are parts to your car.